Ebonyi Commissioner pays WAEC fees for blind students, others 

From Uchenna Inya, Abakaliki

Ebonyi State Commissioner for Works, Stanley Lebechi Mbam has paid the West African Examination Council (WAEC) fees for 109 indigent students across Ebonyi North senatorial zone to improve literacy and alleviate the sufferings of the  students  and their families.

The beneficiaries included blind students and other indigent students in the zone.

They were given cash by the Commissioner in his Abakaliki residence with their parents in attendance.

Mbam said the gesture was to ensure that the students  sit for the WAEC examinations without any hindrance.

He lamented that his senatorial zone was the most backward in the state in  education which pushed him to pay much attention in education to address the problem, describing education as a  tool for breaking the cycle of poverty and unlocking the  potentials of individuals and communities.

He promised that any student that would make good result in the examination will get  university scholarship.

He warned their parents against over pressuring their wards to checkmate the get- quick- syndrome  era

He appreciated the school principals, deans, teachers and all other education stakeholders for their efforts in shaping the future generations.

The Commissioner assured that  he would continue to do his best to ensure that his people were  not  educationally disadvantaged .

Mbam commended Governor Francis Nwifuru for appointing him Commissioner and assured that he will touch lives through the position.

Chairman of  the committee that selected the beneficiaries,  Dr. Oliver Nwachukwu described the gesture as  a rare opportunity and urged the students to utilize the opportunity.

He implored them to make the Commissioner proud by studying hard for the examination to get good results.

Nwachukwu urged parents to watch over their children in this era of social media where children learn lots of evil instead of reading their books to be useful to themselves and the society.

One of the committee members, Godfrey Chikwere said the beneficiaries  were selected based on merit after writing examination.

He noted that  the committee gave about 25% to people with disabilities to ensure equal opportunities and  transparency in the selection.

One  the beneficiaries, a blind student,  Williams  Enyi appreciated the  Commissioner for his  gesture  towards humanity and assured that they will  make him, their families and the society proud.